Probe spurs Arizona gang arrests

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- Alleged illegal motorcycle club gang activity and a biker brawl in Bullhead City prompted a six month investigation that led to search warrants and arrests across Northern Arizona Wednesday. Officers from nine law enforcement agencies served eight search warrants in Mohave, Yavapai and Coconino counties and arrested six motorcycle club members.

Arizona Department of Public Safety Gang Task Force Commander Robert Tice, during a news conference in Kingman, said members of the Hells Angels motorcycle club and their associates from the Desert Road Riders club have been engaged in a turf battle and power struggle with the Vagos motorcycle club in Northern Arizona. He said the investigation stemmed from a June 11 riot at Lazy Harry's bar in Bullhead City.

Bullhead City police chief Rodney Head said one of the two Vagos club members assaulted inside the establishment suffered some injuries when attacked by five Hells Angels and two Road Riders.

"It was one of those things that we refer to as a 'beat down,' " Head said. "These individuals went in there, as a group, as a gang, confronted two individuals from another motorcycle gang and put a beating on them."

Arrested Wednesday on an initial charge of rioting were Dale Leroy Hormuth, 49, and James Snider, 45, both of Kingman; Stephen Michael Helland, 60, Golden Valley; Clifford Balentine, 54, Bullhead City; Rudolpho John Martinez, 44, and Gerald Roy Smith, 47, both of Rimrock. Authorities are still looking for George Walters, 53, Cave Creek, also on a rioting charge.

"These individuals have been involved in trying to expand or establish a criminal syndicate in this area," Kingman Police Chief Bob Devries said.